The Malta Gay Rights Movement has been advocating for the legal recognition of same-sex couples and their families since its inception in 2001 and while we have always believed that this was a just and important cause for the LGBT community, we knew it would be a long and difficult struggle.

As a movement we have always expressed our dissatisfaction with a potential cohabitation law that failed to recognise same-sex couples not on the basis of living in the same household but because of their relationship to each other. We also oppose a piecemeal approach to rights.

The position paper is our attempt to put forward our belief that marriage equality is the only option that provides the same status, rights and obligations available to opposite sex couples and their children. Moreover it is the simplest form of recognition to introduce requiring minor adjustments to our legal framework.

We hope that the paper will give rise to a reasoned and much needed debate that is respectful of our relationships and the families we create and that is based on secular and human rights rather than religious discourse.

The discrimination experienced by same-sex couples is no longer tenable in today’s world and we will not cease our efforts until our goal has been achieved whether this takes months, years or even decades.

In a recent speech delivered by Hilary Clinton in Geneva she mentioned that leadership by definition implies at times being ahead of the people. Excuses based on society not being ready for the introduction of marriage equality therefore hold no sway. No harm ensues to society from the granting of equal rights to same-sex couples and therefore any delay cannot be morally justified. On the contrary, there are significant benefits to same-sex couples and their children as well as such legislation sending a clear message that discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation should never be condoned. Equality is not a luxury it is a basic human right and the time for it is now.

The publication was launched on the 13th January 2012 and will serve as the basis for a campaign that is expected to last several months.

MGRM has set the “recognition of same-sex couples through Marriage Equality” as one of its working priorities. In order to carry out this work, raise awareness, lobby and campaign, MGRM needs to raise money.

We need your help to raise €10,000.

Currently approximately 10% of the population have no freedom to marry and therefore have no access to the ordinary rights that are afforded to married couples such as spouses’ pension’s entitlements, inheritance rights, taxation and social welfare benefits or even visitation rights if their partner is in hospital.

We need you to invest in human rights. We cannot let equality and rights slip, even in an economic climate like today’s. This is the time we need them the most. Equality is not a luxury product. Equality and human rights promote mature democracies and ensure political and civil stability. You can help by making civil marriage rights and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) couples a reality.

Other activities linked to the Marriage Equality Campaign include:

A rally for Marriage Equality

A Marriage Equality Ball

A mock wedding event

A radio campaign

Adverts in the print media (newspapers and magazines)

A Billboard campaign

MGRM has already been very successful with the work we have undertaken. After 10 years, we have had a significant impact in changing the hearts and minds of members of the LGBT Community, the wider public, politicians and the media. We have worked hard to carve out a respected profile for the organisation and keep equality on the political agenda. We need your financial assistance to continue our work and you can rest in the knowledge that you have contributed to making a difference, to a campaign that will give equality to LGBT people, our families and our children in a very real and lasting way.

Please pass this link on to friends who you think might also be interested in joining the campaign for equality and if you'd like to help today, please donate via our website by pressing the donate button on the Homepage.

Help us raise €10,000 by the end of 2013 so that we can continue to work with you for equality for same-sex couples and our families and children.